Houston Dynamo, Newtown Kindness Announce Partnership

HOUSTON, TX (Tuesday, January 29, 2013) - The Houston Dynamo announced today that it has joined with Newtown Kindness to become an official partner of the inaugural Charlotte Bacon Act of Kindness Award. In addition to becoming partners of the program, Dynamo defender Corey Ashe, midfielder Ricardo Clark and forwards Brian Ching and Cam Weaver have agreed to become spokespeople for the award.

The Charlotte Bacon Act of Kindness Award is named in honor of Charlotte Bacon, a six-year-old girl who was killed in the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School last December. The award is designed to encourage children from around the world to think about and perform simple acts of kindness in their respective communities. As partners of the Charlotte Bacon Act of Kindness Award, the Houston Dynamo and Dynamo Charities, presented by the Halliburton Charitable Foundation, are committed to using their resources to help communicate that message to the team's fan base and to Houston-area residents.

"This is a great initiative," said Dynamo forward Brian Ching. "It involves performing a simple act of kindness, which is something that anyone can do. I encourage all children to participate and honor Charlotte's legacy."

"I was fortunate to have the opportunity to visit Newtown in early January as part of Soccer Night in Newtown event," said Dynamo defender Corey Ashe. "While in Connecticut, my teammates and I had breakfast with the Bacon family. Charlotte sounded like an amazing girl and I'm honored to be a spokesperson for an award that honors her memory."

Children are encouraged to tell their act of kindness story in writing or by drawing a picture for a chance to be recognized with a Charlotte Bacon Act of Kindness Award. One award winner will be chosen to receive a Houston Dynamo prize pack which includes roundtrip airfare for four people to Houston, two nights in a hotel, four tickets to a 2013 Dynamo home game and $100 in concession stand vouchers.

The award is open to all children 18 years of age and younger. Entries must be received by Feb. 21, 2013 and must include a minimum donation of $5. Donations are also being accepted without an entry into the contest, with all funds going to the Charlotte Bacon Kindness Fund, a soon-to-be 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that supports the Sandy Hook victims' families and memorials. Complete contest rules, including information on where to send entries, can be found at newtownkindness.org .